Jacksons image, produced by Pulse Entertainment, was seen dancing and singing a new song called Slave to the Rhythm at the Billboard Music Awards.
Michael Jackson was alive and moonwalking his way across the stage during a 3D holographic performance at the Billboard Music Awards on May 18, live from the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. The Jackson likeness was brought to the stage with technology that led to a copyright infringement lawsuit that nearly stopped the performance altogether. This type of projection effect has been catching on with event producers since it was popularized with a digital performance by deceased rapper Tupac Shakur at the 2012 Coachella music festival.
In the Billboard Music Awards performance, Orlando, Fla.-based Pulse Entertainment brought Michael Jackson to the stage, where he was seen dancing and singing a new song called Slave to the Rhythm, presumably in an effort to promote Jacksons second posthumous album, Xscape.
Because the resulting image was similar in appearance to patented 3D holographic projection technology that is marketed and controlled by Hologram USA and Musion Das Hologram, the patent-holders filed a lawsuit against the producers of the 2014 Billboard Music Awards, claiming copyright infringement.
A federal judge ruled the Friday before the event (the case was heard the preceding Thursday afternoon) that the Billboard Music Awards producers could use the holographic version of Jackson, rejecting claims made by Hologram USA and Musion Das Hologram. Judge Kent Dawson said he didnt find enough evidence to show the 3D image would violate patents.
Holographic projection technology is able to deliver a lifelike re-creation of an individual that is capable of addressing the audience, moving around stage and even interacting with others with pre-scripted effects. To create the effect of a three-dimensional hologram, an overhead projector throws an image onto a carefully tilted mirror embedded in the stage floor. The moving image is then reflected onto a special screen on stage that makes it appear as if the hologram is physically present.
Hologram USA and Musion Das Hologram obtained the rights to patents relating to holographic performances from visual effects company Digital Domain (responsible for the effects in X-Men: First Class, Transformers: Dark of the Moon and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, as well as the Tupac Shakur performance at Coachella, with AV Concepts), after the veteran post house filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware in 2012.
The public was not aware of the 3D projected performance at the Billboard Music Awards beforehand, as the show hyped only a history-making performance. Plans to use the hologram emerged with details of the lawsuit.
Attorney Howard Weitzman, who represents Jacksons estate and Billboard Music Awards producer Dick Clark Productions, wrote in an e-mail to USAToday.com, The courts decision [was] not surprising. He added, The request to stop this extraordinary Michael Jackson event was ludicrous.
The lawsuit also named John C. Textor, chairman of Pulse Entertainment and former CEO of Digital Domain. Pulse Entertainment staged the Jackson revival at the Billboard Music Awards and was accused of using the hologram techniques without a proper license. Textor would not comment publicly on the case.
The plaintiffs attorney, Ryan G. Baker, said his clients were disappointed with the ruling, but the performance went on as planned.
According to CNN.com, the dance moves used in the Billboard Music Awards event were not those of Jackson himself but of a stand-in performer who re-created Jacksons steps for a computer. The computer recorded the motion and integrated it with an image intended to replicate Jackson.
Mark Cuban, owner of the NBAs Dallas Mavericks, tweeted Hes baaaccck! and included an Instagram video.
Theres no doubt the effect was captivating, if a bit synthetic to Jackson fans. A public relations executive tweeted, Uncomfortable, odd and eerily interesting. Not quite sure what to feel. #MissingMJ
In March, USAToday.com reported that Hologram USA sued Cirque du Soleil and MGM Resorts International over its show, Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino. The show makes liberal use of 3D holographic images of Jackson. Hologram USA says the show represents an unlicensed use of its technology.
Jacksons performance at the 2104 Billboard Awards isnt the first digital reawakening of an artist since Tupacs virtual comeback. This year, rapper M.I.A. and singer Janelle Mon e both performed private solo concerts in different cities before teaming up at the end of their shows as life-sized 3D projections. Last year, hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan used a hologram of rapper Ol Dirty Bastard.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, today unveiled its educational presentations for the 2026 NAB Show. This year SMPTE will ...
18/03/2026
Maxon, maker of powerful, approachable software solutions for creators working in 2D and 3D design, motion graphics, visual effects, gaming, and more, today ann...
18/03/2026
Digital Alert Systems
Preview
2026 NAB Show
April 19 - 22
Booth C3452
At the 2026 NAB Show, Digital Alert Systems will showcase Version 6.0 of its DASDEC ...
18/03/2026
Setplex today announced that it will showcase its complete, fully integrated Zapflex platform for the first time at the 2026 NAB Show, introducing powerful new ...
18/03/2026
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT QUALIFIED OR MAY HAVE QUALIFIED AS INSIDE INFORMATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 7(1) OF THE ...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking DP for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Director of Photography for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy Feature Film- I...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Location, Sound for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Location/Sound for Low Budget Dramed...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Film - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
Calrec Redefines Broadcast Workflows at NAB 2026 with its Most Powerful Hardware...
18/03/2026
Oscar Nominated Two People Exchanging Saliva Posted with DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio handle...
18/03/2026
Boston Conservatory Presents Celebrated Musical Satire Urinetown Performances for this Center Stage production will take place at Boston Conservatory Theater ...
18/03/2026
Charlie Puth Joins Switched On Pop at Berklee NYC The Berklee alum spoke with host and Berklee NYC professor Charlie Harding for a live taping, answering audi...
17/03/2026
NASA+'s Rebecca Sirmons and Brittany Brown offer unique look at live streami...
17/03/2026
The transition to IP has fundamentally reshaped professional media infrastructures. Video, audio, and increasingly metadata now circulate as independent, precis...
17/03/2026
Live sports streaming can push every element in your video delivery chain to its limit, exposing every potential weakness in seconds. When the Super Bowl, the O...
17/03/2026
Texas Athletics sought to modernize its media production, enhance fan experience...
17/03/2026
Ikegami USA will demonstrate the latest additions to its wide range of broadcast...
17/03/2026
TNA Wrestling and iHeartMedia announces a new multi-platform collaboration that will integrate iHeartMedia across TNA's premium live events, weekly televisi...
17/03/2026
The goal was to transform Hard Rock Stadium into a global leader in sports and e...
17/03/2026
Spectrum has announced the launch of its new Multiview feature in the Spectrum TV App, giving customers the ability to watch up to four NCAA men's or women&...
17/03/2026
Genius Sports deal also covers data technology, AI, fan engagement, and performance analysis....
17/03/2026
Net Insight is supporting the rollout of a new state-wide centralized operation with Rede Massa, which is an SBT affiliate, the Brazilian regional television ne...
17/03/2026
Featuring audio from practice sessions, qualifying races, and Grand Prix races, the film represents Apple's sports-media ambitions
At Sunday night's Ac...
17/03/2026
Live broadcast has always been one of the most demanding environments in media a...
17/03/2026
DirecTV is introducing several new viewing features, including a multi-screen March Madness Mix channel and an updated Sports Central mobile app hub, ahead of...
17/03/2026
Deltatre has announced a multi-year partnership with ATP Media, the media arm of the ATP Tour, covering broadcast graphics, data, and production across the 2026...
17/03/2026
The Detroit Pistons have announced a third consecutive season partnering with Sc...
17/03/2026
Fresh Finds Africa spotlights emerging artists and movements across the continent and its global diaspora, with listeners tuning in to discover new Afro-forward...
17/03/2026
Last month, more than 60,000 fans piled into Bangkok's Rajamangala National ...
17/03/2026
Vintage-inspired channel strip joins line-up
Black Rooster Audio's latest plug-in provides an all-in-one mixing tool inspired by classic analogue consol...
17/03/2026
Level and EQ voice, reverb and noise independently
The latest plug-in to join Accentize's collection is said to take a new approach to dialogue processi...
17/03/2026
UHF radio mic & IEM bandwidth at risk
Once again, the UHF bandwidth that is currently allocated to RF audio gear is at risk of being reassigned to high-spee...
17/03/2026
Last Friday, the first Plant Fire Department Training Week in Bavaria successf...
17/03/2026
New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnnect highlights how we all deserve ...
17/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/03/2026
3D streaming infrastructure provider Miris today announced the launch of a public beta for its new 3D asset streaming platform. Miris is building the infrastruc...
Jacksons image, produced by Pulse Entertainment, was seen dancing and singing a new song called Slave to the Rhythm at the Billboard Music Awards. 
